Feeding

Purine is a type of protein found in certain red meats, some poultry, game, offal and yeast products all of these foods contain very high of levels of Purine. These purines can cause problems for some Dalmatians so are best avoided. There are complete low purine foods available without prescription. Royal Canin make a food specifically for Dalmatians it is based on egg protein and is very low in Purines. Other prepared foods available are on prescription only, made by Hills and Royal Canin and are generally only used once a stone forming Dalmatian has been diagnosed and treated by a Vet.

For most Dalmatians that have not been diagnosed as stone forming there are cheaper alternatives and anecdotally we have had success with lower protein diets such as Chappie, James Wellbeloved (Chicken or Fish) and Pets at home own brand Wainwrights. They do not contain additives and colourings which may make a dalmatian hyperactive. This applies to dog treats as well see below.

We have a list of foods and their purine content. This indicates which foods are safe to feed a Dalmatian,and which should be avoided. We can provide details of diets specially formulated from these lists that have been successfully fed to stone forming Dalmatians and kept them free of the recurrence of stones and are cheap to feed although they do require work and, probably freezer space. Please click here to view our Heath page for more information

Dalmatians should always have fresh clean water to drink and have access to outdoors so that they can regularly urinate.

Please get in touch with the website or our central coordinator if you would like more information.

Diet, behaviour and snacks and treats

Many pre-made dog snacks and treats are made from offal and cheap cuts of meats that contain the highest amounts of Purines. We have seen behavioural problems and hyperactivity reduced by changing a dogs diet to a lower purine food free from bright colours. The more simple the food the better it seems to suit Dalmatians. Highly coloured dog treats filled with colouring and additives should be avoided, dogs don’t see in colour so these are purely aimed at attracting humans rather than your dog. Apple, Carrot, Hard Cheese (Cheddar) and hard boiled eggs make great low Purine treats and are great for titbits while training your Dalmatian. There are many recipes for making your own purine free dog treats available online.

PLEASE NOTE THE CHART BELOW IS FOR HUMAN USE WE ARE NOT SUGGESTING THAT ALL OF THE ITEMS LISTED SHOULD BE FED TO DOGS

There are many common human foods that are toxic to all dogs and should be avoided

These include grapes, currants and sultanas, cherries, the stones are toxic to dogs, apricot stones are also toxic. Red, white and Black currants have the same toxin that is contained within grapes so are best avoided. Rhubarb is toxic and so are Apple pips (so avoid the core) and unripened tomatoes can also be toxic. Macadamia nuts, Onions and Garlic, Mushrooms, raw and green Potatoes and artificial sweeteners should not be fed. Oh and of course chocolate!

Various food types and their purine content

Foods (alphabetically)

Total Purines in mg uric acid/100 g (Average)

Min

Max

Nutr. Density in mg/MJ

HIGHEST IN PURINES (400 mg. uric acid/100 g and higher)

Fish, sardines in oil

480

399

560

519.5

Liver, Calf’s

460

837.5

Mushroom, flat, edible Boletus, dried

488

932.8

Neck sweet bread, Calf’s

1260

3012.9

Ox liver

554

1013.3

Ox spleen

444

1052.6

Pig’s heart

530

1382

Pig’s liver

515

937.9

Pig’s lungs (lights)

434

911.2

Pig’s spleen

516

1208.2

Sheep’s spleen

773

1702.6

Sprat, smoked

804

795.6

Yeast, Baker’s

680

2071.3

Yeast, Brewer’s

1810

1866.6

MODERATELY HIGH IN PURINES (100 to 400 mg. uric acid/100g)

Bean, seed, white, dry

128

127.1

Bean, Soya, seed, dry

190

139.1

Beef, chuck

120

192

Beef, fillet

110

216.4

Beef, fore rib, entrecote

120

185.4

Beef, muscles only

133

292.1

Beef, roast beef, sirloin

110

110

120

201.4

Beef, shoulder

110

203.9

Black gram (mungo bean), seed, dry

222

194.3

Caviar (real)

144

141.6

Chicken (breast with skin)

175

288.4

Chicken (chicken for roasting), average

115

165.8

Chicken, boiling fowl, average

159

149.2

Chicken, leg with skin, without bone

110

152.2

Duck, average

138

146.2

Fish, Anchovy

239

560

Fish, Carp

160

330.9

Fish, Cod

109

335.9

Fish, Haddock

139

425.2

Fish, Halibut

178

439.9

Fish, Herring, Atlantic

210

216.9

Fish, Herring, Matje cured

219

197.6

Fish, Mackerel

145

95

194

191.2

Fish, Pike-perch

110

311.3

Fish, Redfish (ocean perch)

241

544.1

Fish, Saithe (coalfish)

163

473.4

Fish, salmon

170

110

250

202

Fish, sardine, pilchard

345

693.2

Fish, Sole

131

125

137

376.2

Fish, trout

297

686.7

Fish, Tuna

257

273.7

Fish, Tuna in oil

290

246.2

Goose

165

116.7

Ham, cooked

131

248.1

Heart, Sheep’s

241

367.6

Horse meat

200

438.8

Kidney, Calf’s

218

419.6

Lamb (muscles only)

182

371

Lentil, seed, dry

127

114.45

164.65

93.8

Linseed

105

67.4

Liver, chicken

243

426.3

Lobster

118

60

175

346.4

Lungs, Calf’s

147

389.1

Mussel

112

391.5

Ox heart

256

504.3

Ox kidney

269

569.5

Ox lungs (lights)

399

961.4

Ox tongue

160

186

Peas, chick (garbanzo), seed, dry

109

84.2

Pig’s kidney

334

784.5

Pig’s tongue

136

208.2

Pike

140

406.7

Poppy seed, seed, dry

170

86

Pork belly

100

80

110

92.3

Pork belly, raw, smoked dried

127

82.6

Pork chop with bone

145

140

150

260

Pork chuck

140

135

145

170.4

Pork fillet

150

145

150

334.8

Pork hip bone (hind leg)

120

115

130

155

Pork leg (hind leg)

160

150

160

357.4

Pork muscles only

166

374.9

Pork shoulder with skin (blade of shoulder)

150

145

150

165.2

Rabbit meat, average with bone

132

95

150

207.7

Rabbit/Hare (average)

105

219.4

Sausage “Jagdwurst”

112

127.8

Sausage salami, German

104

65.9

Sausage, liver (liverwurst)

165

122.2

Sausages, frying, from pork

101

80.2

Scallop

136

505.8

Shrimp, brown

147

60

234

397.9

Spleen, Calf’s

343

815.9

Sunflower seed, dry

143

59.5

Turkey, young animal, average, with skin

150

237.3

Veal chop, cutlet with bone

140

309.6

Veal fillet

140

347.3

Veal knuckle with bone

150

140

160

353.2

Veal, leg of veal with bone

150

140

150

310.2

Veal, muscles only

172

438.7

Veal, neck with bone

150

326.9

Veal, shoulder

140

309.3

Venison back

105

205

Venison haunch (leg)

138

105

154

336.5

LOWEST IN PURINES (100 mg. uric acid/100 g and less)

Almond, sweet

37

15.7

Apple

14

60.1

Apricot

73

71.6

Artichoke

78

834.6

Asparagus

23

19.71

29.57

310.9

Aubergine

21

290

Avocado

19

20.9

Bamboo Shoots

29

402.1

Banana

57

152.4

Barley without husk, whole grain

96

71.1

Bean sprouts, Soya

80

378.3

Beans, French (string beans, haricot)

37

20

43

266.9

Beans, French, dried

45

40

50

39.4

Beef, corned (German)

57

96.5

Beet root

19

15

21

108.5

Bilberry, blueberry, huckleberry

22

143.7

Brain, Calf’s

92

203.1

Bread, wheat (flour) or (white bread)

14

13.9

Broccoli

81

691.6

Brussel sprouts

69

456

Cabbage, red

32

19.79

36.62

350.2

Cabbage, savoy

37

19.87

42.71

342.6

Cabbage, white

22

210.3

Carrot

17

14

25

155.9

Cauliflower

51

537.9

Celeriac

30

390.6

Cheese, Brie

7.1

5

Cheese, Cheddar/Cheshire cheese, 50% fat cont

6

4.3

Cheese, cottage

9.4

22

Cheese, edam, 30% fat content in dry matter

7.1

6.8

Cheese, edam, 40% fat content in dry matter

7.1

5.4

Cheese, edam, 45% fat content in dry matter

7.1

4.8

Cheese, Limburger, 20% fat content in dry matter

32

41.7

Cherry, Morello

17

75.5

Cherry, sweet

7.1

64.2

Chicory

12

171.8

Chinese leaves

21

412.4

Chives

67

581.2

Corn, sweet

52

140.9

Fish, Crayfish

60

220.3

Cress

28

200.8

Crispbread

60

44.9

Cucumber

7.3

141.7

Currant, red

17

122.6

Date, dried

35

29.9

Elderberry, black

33

144.4

Endive

17

297.7

Fennel leaves

14

10

16

139

Fig (dried)

64

60.4

Fish, eel (smoked)

78

45

110

57.2

Frankfurter sausages

89

68.74

129.52

80.2

Gooseberry

16

101.3

Grass, Viper’s (black salsify)

71

939.4

Kale

48

309.1

Kiwi fruit (Chinese gooseberry, strawberry peach

19

88.5

Kohlrabi

25

10.86

29.61

243.9

Leek

74

714.1

Lettuce

13

9.75

29.25

274.4

Lettuce, Lamb’s

38

645.3

Meat, luncheon

70

58.8

Melon, Cantelope

33

143

Millet, shucked corn

62

41.9

Morel

30

748.9

Mushroom

58

55.48

60.52

858.2

Mushroom, flat, edible Boletus, cep

92

1011.6

Mushrooms, canned, solid and liquid

29

488.5

Mushrooms, Chanterelle

17

356.2

Mushrooms, Chanterelles, canned, solids & liqui

17

114.2

Nuts, Brazil

23

8.3

Nuts, hazelnut (cobnut)

37

27

42

13.9

Nuts, peanut

79

33.8

Oats, without husk, whole grain

94

63.6

Olive, green, marinated

29

51.1

Onion

13

112.4

Orange

19

105.9

Ox brain

75

140.7

Oyster

90

322.6

Oyster, mushroom

50

1054.6

Parsley, leaf

57

266.2

Pasta made with egg (noodles, macaroni, spagh

40

26.6

Pea, pod and seed, green

84

245.7

Pea, seed, dry

95

84.78

166.56

82.7

Peach

21

119.6

Pear

12

2

17

51.5

Peppers, green

55

681

Pig’s brain

83

161.71

Pineapple

19

81.4

Plaice

93

257.6

Plum

24

116.8

Plum, dried

64

67.9

Potato

16

53.6

Potato, cooked with skin

18

60.3

Pudding, black

55

37.23

90.55

42.8

Pumpkin

44

422

Quince

30

185

Radish

15

234.3

Radishes

13

210.6

Raspberry

18

126.3

Rhubarb

12

212.6

Rolls, bread

21

18.2

Rye, whole grain

51

47

63

41

Sauerkraut, dripped off

16

12

20

224.7

Sausage “Bierschincken”

85

117.3

Sausage “Fleischwurst”

78

66.8

Sausage “Mortadella”

96

79

130

67.4

Sausage “Munich Weisswurst”

73

65.7

Sausage, Vienna

78

65.7

Sausages, frying, from veal

91

81.5

Sausages, German (Mettwurst)

74

45.9

Sesame (gingelly) seed, Oriental, dry

62

26.5

Spinach

57

844.7

Squash, summer

24

296.2

Strawberry

21

11.81

25.59

156.8

Tench

80

243.8

Tofu

68

196.4

Tomato

11

145.7

Nuts, Walnut

25

9.1

Wheat, whole grain

51

40.2

83.41

39.4

Yogurt, min. 3.5% fat content

8.1

27.7

British Dalmatian Welfare
Registered Charity number 1086519
If you wish to Adopt a dog from us call: 07976 360468 If you wish us to Rehome your dog or have any other enquiries call: 07905 495084